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The 12 Steps of “Social Media Etiquette”

Social media has taken over several generations of internet users, and is a main source of communication these days. From Facebook, to Twitter and Instagram, social media users in recovery should start using the the 12 steps of social media etiquette. If you break your anonymity on Facebook (or any other social media site,) you could be causing harm to yourself or others. Many things can happen when you’re on social media, and you don’t even realize it. Your character defects can come out, such as: anger, jealousy, gossiping, self-pity, low self-esteem, etc. Keep in mind, those in recovery like to respect the 12 steps and their anonymity; whether you post about your recovery or not, respect others’ privacy and practice the 12 steps.

The 12 Steps Of Social Medial Etiquette

Step 1

We admitted that our status was depressing, that our lives aren’t full of self-pity.

No one likes a depressing status. Whether you’re truly sad, or you’re just looking for attention, talk to someone about it; don’t post it publicly for the world to see. This is when you can sit and think about what you’re grateful for in your life.

Step 2

Came to believe that too many selfies showed I was prideful, or had lack of self-esteem.

When one posts too many “selfies,” people will think one of two things. A) that you’re full of yourself or B) that you have low self-esteem and are looking for likes and reassurance. Know your worth and love yourself.

Step 3

Made a decision to stop with the vague-booking, so that people could understand my status.

When you post a vague status that only you can understand (example: “This sucks.”), it can be very frustrating to your Facebook friends who have no idea what you are talking about. According to social media etiquette, it’s considered rude, and in some cases self centered. When you post statuses that people understand, you will see more positive engagement from your friends than if they had no clue what you were saying and decided to avoid the drama of pulling the details out of you.

Step 4

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our gossiping and sideways talk.

Gossip is not part of working the 12 steps, so when you’re gossiping about someone, and that certain someone sees what you’re saying, A) you don’t look like a good person or that you’re working a very good program, and B) you are now causing harm to another person. That is not only not good social media etiquette, but a terrible way of representing this program.

Step 5

Admitted to others that I was in recovery and that it could help others.

It’s up to you if you want to put on your Facebook, or any other social site, that you are in recovery or a memeber of a 12 step fellowship. But make sure that once you make it be known that you are in recovery, that you practice the 12 steps and the principles in all your affairs. Make yourself known as a strong person in recovery so it can help others, and others will want to do it as well. Tying in to Step 4, if you are known as a person in recovery and you are causing harm to another person publicly, it’s a bad look for not only yourself, but for the program as well. This is a prime example of social media etiquette, “recovery style.”

Step 6

Were entirely ready to hide someone’s feed if they make me upset and I don’t want to delete them as a friend.

People are going to upset you – it’s life. Whether this person is posting things that are making you upset, or you just don’t want to see them altogether, there are the options of deleting and/or blocking. If you don’t want to go that far and potentially hurt their feelings, there is the wonderful option of simply hiding their feed, so you won’t have to see any of it.

Step 7

Humbly chose a classy profile picture.

Part of the 12 steps is practicing humility. It’s always a good thing when you have a profile picture, so people can see who you are or if they know you. One thing that’s even better than having a profile picture is having a NICE profile picture. If you have a profile picture that is disturbing or offending, it could result in a problem or from people not adding you. Having a nice, smiling headshot for your profile picture is essential to social media etiquette.

Step 8

Made a list of pages that I like, but refrained from liking inappropriate pages.

Watch what you’re liking on Facebook, especially in recovery. If you are in recovery and it shows in your news feed that you “liked” something inappropriate or offensive (such as a local strip club or a pot leaf) it could give others a negative impression of you and the health of your recovery.

Step 9

Made direct amends to all persons for whom I had broken their anonymity on Facebook.

It’s completely fine if you choose to announce to Facebook that you’re in recovery and let people know how much time you have (provided you are not breaking anonymity of the 12 steps and any 12 step program); but you have to respect your friends’ anonymity. If they don’t want people to know they’re in recovery, or aren’t comfortable with that yet, and you tag them “at a meeting” or “chillin in rehab,” it could really hurt someone.

Step 10

Continued to keep serious conversations as private messages, instead of posting on one others’ walls.

What may not seem private to you could be extremely private to someone else. Whether it concerns someone else’s anonymity, personal business, or a disgreement of some sort, just keep it private. No one needs to know every detail of your, or anyone else’s, personal life.

Step 11

Sought through happy and inspirational status updates to improve my social media etiquette.

Again, no one wants to see depressing status updates. If you post happy thoughts or inspirational statuses, it could possibly make someone smile or even make their day. You never know what someone else is going through, and you could help them with just one happy status.

Step 12

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of the 12 steps of social media etiquette, I will refrain from posting any dirty or inappropriate pictures so that I may carry the message of health, hope, and happiness in recovery to other addicts and alcoholics.

Facebook is often used by modeling pages to display scandily clad models in the newest runway trends, but is by no account the venue for R-rated material. Please do not post pictures with your special areas hanging out. No one (especially your family) really wants to see that, and it only gives off the impression that you have low self-esteem and are looking for attention in all the wrong ways. Respect yourself and know your worth – keep it classy. Keeping it classy is a great way to practice social media etiquette.

The 12 Steps Of Recovery

Now that you have a working knowledge of the 12 steps of social media etiquette, your life in recovery should be a lot easier and more balanced. Not only will you make more friends, but you may live a happier life. And let’s be honest, others may not want what you have if your life is a mess online. Don’t knock it ‘till you rock it. Try the 12 steps of social media etiquette and comment below how it worked for you!